In Detroit, for instance, it is easy to see the tension between the revenue needs for infrastructure maintenance and the personal impact of the rising cost of water. On one hand, activists are pushing back on policies that have escalated water shut-offs for families that fall behind in paying their water bills, claiming that it creates unreasonable stress and adds to the city’s already debilitating foreclosure burden. On the other, the city is slowly emerging from bankruptcy and is under court orders that prevent it from giving water away for free.

Indeed, relative to other expenses, households have seen the price of water and sewer services soar over the past two decades. From 2000 to 2016, water and sewer prices have more than doubled in relative terms, far exceeding the price increases of electricity, rent, and gasoline, according to the Consumer Price Index. Combined with stagnating incomes, these rising prices are becoming an understandable source of concern, which are also commonly reflected in other rate surveys that come out each year.

In order to drive new water infrastructure investments and accurately assess affordability issues, regional leaders must take a more nuanced approach. At a local level, for instance, utilities can benefit from a clearer assessment of the equity of municipal water rates, which ideally can examine a range of different economic indicators and allow for an easier comparison of different rate structures. Likewise, by accounting for fundamental neighborhood and housing differences, utilities and their state partners can look to a more comprehensive set of measures to guide future policy decisions and affordability concerns. The creation of more robust customer assistance programs, which can provide discounts and extended payment options, also have the potential to lower barriers and provide relief to individuals who currently struggle to keep up with their bills. Nationally, continued discussions over water affordability and other federal technical guidance can further aid these efforts.

Ultimately, regions face an enormous water infrastructure challenge that not only requires increased investment, but also a balancing of other long-term economic priorities. Addressing affordability needs to be a big part of that effort, but accounting for equity concerns can be incredibly complex and will likely demand better data, more targeted policies, and new models of financial support. As the water infrastructure gap continues to widen, the time is ripe for regions to experiment with new approaches and address water demands in a more sustainable and equitable manner.